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International Day of Peace - 21 September

“Peace is the United Nations’ highest calling.” The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. It is used by the UN to call for a 24-hour global ceasefire to provide hope for people living through war and armed conflict, and show that worldwide peace is possible. The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September.

At the beginning of the day the Peace Bell is rung at the UN Headquarters in New York. The bell, donated to the UN by the Japanese government in 1952, is cast from coins donated by children on all continents, and serves as a reminder of the devastation of war.

Resources

Photo : Students in their traditional dress proudly waiving their national flags during the Peace Bell ceremony, at UN Headquarters in New York. September 2007. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras